New federal statistics are renewing the debate over sex education classes in Texas. The state leads the nation in funding abstinence education, but the results are a different story.

“People are going to do what they're going to do,” said high school student Ari Hasuman-Cohen.

According to federal numbers recently released, more teens in Texas admit to having had sex; 52.9% of 9th to 12th grade students compared to just 47.8% of teens in the rest of the U.S.

Some argue the difference lies in the classroom.

“I think people are mostly going to do what they want no matter what someone tells them because they think it's their life. What some adult tells them in class they're not necessarily going to listen to,” said high school student, Savannah Colbert.

Texas schools have to make sex education classes abstinence-focused. If condoms are talked about teachers also have to mention how often they fail. That's state law.

“The more they know, the better off they are; More information,” said mother Tyree Meadows.

Some question the price of the information. Last year, the state spent $17 million on these abstinence focused courses; more than any other state in the nation. Some teens say it helped them.

“It stopped me from doing a lot of things. STD's you get thinking about it...nobody wants to have an STD...nu-uh,” said high school student, Jaciel Acosta.

“I think it will help so they will know what, if they do that, they would know what the consequences are,” said middle school student, Brianna Samaripa.

However, some parents say they want to know more before they support the millions of dollars spent on the classes.

“It depends on the issues as far as where the money goes. If the parents all (agree) with the spending and helping the kids try to teach the right issues as far as sex education, it'll work,” said father, Ernesto Samaripa.

Some districts like AISD allow for student questions which could bring up different sex issues. A number of state lawmakers are pushing for a policy change so that teachers don't have to focus primarily on abstinence. That's not likely since Governor Rick Perry says he supports the sex education policy as it stands.